inconjunct

The YOD aka Finger of God aka Finger of Fate

First know the YOD aspect pattern consists of two planets sextile each other and inconjunct (150 degrees) to a third planet sitting on the inverse midpoint. If you connect the dots, you come up with a lovely isosceles triangle. AKA YOD or Finger of Fate/God.

Check the examples to the left. The RED lines represent the inconjunct / quincunx (150 degree apart) and the green lines represents the sextile (60 degree apart). You can check your natal chart right now. If you have two (or more in some cases) planets 60 degrees apart AND 150 degrees to a singular third planet, bingo, you have a YOD.

The feature image above shows off the transiting YOD in late November 2018, perfected when the Moon reaches 7 degrees of Leo.

Remember, there are a lot of other chart patterns every bit as exciting as the Yod. For example the grand trine, which is three planets in the trine aspect of 120 degrees, (green lines) or squares and oppositions (red line).

How to read the YOD

So, what does the YOD mean? Here we can review the basic tenants of astrology to unravel it:

Planets are the actors

Signs are the costumes they wear

Houses are the stage or sets they act on

Aspects are the scripts/dialog the actors have with each other.

No matter what aspect, a dialog forms between the planets involved. The planets connect, like table legs (as Richard Idemon would say). Pick one up and anything in aspect comes up with it. In other words if you have Moon sextile Mars and get emotional, Mars energy will be there instantly. You may want to stand your ground or fight or take charge. The reverse is true too. If you take charge or get in a fight you might feel very deeply. Battle might be nurturing to you! With the YOD, you'll find three planets connected, scripted to interact. Interestingly, they will all be a different element and a different modality. It's often not a comfortable match, to start with.

YOD Examples

Let's imagine Mercury sextiles Mars and they are both inconjunct Neptune. If you activate Mercury by communicating, you automatically wake up the other two planets. The energy of Mercury sweeps along to Mars (action) and shoots toward Neptune to express. Ideally, the apex planet channels the energy of the other two.

How might this work out in real life? Let's say you're on a date and Mercury is talking, connecting and asking questions, having a great time. But doing so wakes up assertive go-getter Mars who wants 'a little less conversation; a little more action'. Mars gets bored and pushes in. At this point the dialog might turn to adventure, MMA, sports or stories about all the amazing things you've done. While that's going on, mystical Neptune stirs. Now things get dreamy, the wine flows and all the talk is about meditation, art, film or higher guidance. This can lead to a tug-o-war over who gets to express. It's a big job for the apex planet to orchestrate it all. A first date might have trouble handling it all.

Summary

To sum it up, the Yod means three, or more, of your planets are in dialog with each other and it's up to the apex planet to harmonize and express the energy. It's called the finger of fate or God because without awareness, and experience, it can be a source or contrast and challenge. Wherever it sits in the chart, (what houses or areas of life are activated) describes where a pattern of behavior or external events occur.

But 'fate' doesn't control you. Your thoughts do. Through awareness, you can learn to turn your YOD to gold.

Members, if you want to chat about your YOD on the forum, I've just made a new thread there.

Hi Everyone, I wanted to give you all a heads up for the solar eclipse on the 11th of August. Like the July eclipse, it's 'only' partial but because it falls 30 days after, it's a 'double wave' or like some say, double whammy. It can really help to start leveraging the energy now. Check out the Yod, or 'finger of fate' aspect driving it. You want to know where this falls in your chart. Have a listen to the recording for details. GVA Members, you'll find a download link on the forum thread - Season of the Eclipse.

For the partial eclipse of July 12th/13th so I've made a quick podcast with all the details. It covers the timing, how to prep before, during and after, and some details on the astrology that makes this eclipse unique.